The three-dimensional geologic model used for the 2003 National Oil and Gas Assessment of the San Joaquin Basin Province, California: Chapter 7 in Petroleum systems and geologic assessment of oil and gas in the San Joaquin Basin Province, California

Professional Paper 1713-7

This report is Chapter 7 in Petroleum systems and geologic assessment of oil and gas in the San Joaquin Basin Province, California. Please see Professional Paper 1713 for other chapters.

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Abstract

We present a three-dimensional geologic model of the San Joaquin Basin (SJB) that may be the first compilation of subsurface data spanning the entire basin. The model volume spans 200 × 90 miles, oriented along the basin axis, and extends to ~11 miles depth, for a total of more than 1 million grid nodes. This model supported the 2003 U.S. Geological Survey assessment of future additions to reserves of oil and gas in the SJB. Data sources include well-top picks from more than 3,200 wildcat and production wells, published cross sections, regional seismic grids, and fault maps. The model consists of 15 chronostratigraphic horizons ranging from the Mesozoic crystalline basement to the topographic surface. Many of the model units are hydrocarbon reservoir rocks and three—the Cretaceous Moreno Formation, the Eocene Kreyenhagen Formation, and the Miocene Monterey Formation—are hydrocarbon source rocks. The White Wolf Fault near the southern end of the basin divides the map volume into 2 separate fault blocks. The construction of a three-dimensional model of the entire SJB encountered many challenges, including complex and inconsistent stratigraphic nomenclature, significant facies changes across and along the basin axis, time-transgressive formation tops, uncertain correlation of outcrops with their subsurface equivalents, and contradictory formation top data. Although some areas of the model are better resolved than others, the model facilitated the 2003 resource assessment in several ways, including forming the basis of a petroleum system model and allowing a precise definition of assessment unit volumes.

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Additional publication details

Publication type:

Report

Publication Subtype:

USGS Numbered Series

Title:

The three-dimensional geologic model used for the 2003 National Oil and Gas Assessment of the San Joaquin Basin Province, California: Chapter 7 in Petroleum systems and geologic assessment of oil and gas in the San Joaquin Basin Province, California

Series title:

Professional Paper

Series number:

1713-7

Year Published:

2013

Language:

English

Publisher:

U.S. Geological Survey

Publisher location:

Reston, VA

Contributing office(s):

Western Energy Resources

Description:

Chapter 7: 81 p.

Larger Work Type:

Report

Larger Work Subtype:

USGS Numbered Series

Larger Work Title:

Petroleum systems and geologic assessment of oil and gas in the San Joaquin Basin Province, California (PP 1713)

Time Range Start:

2003-01-01

Time Range End:

2003-12-31

Country:

United States

State:

California

Other Geospatial:

San Joaquin Basin

Online Only (Y/N):

Y

Additional Online Files (Y/N):

Y

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